Internships

The internship is an essential component of a criminal justice student's education and is required for the Sociology/Criminal Justice degree. The internship provides the student with an opportunity to make an effective transition from classroom learning to the real world of criminal justice. The internship experience will enable the student to continue their education, deepen their knowledge and enhance their understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system. The internship will allow the student to:

Explore the different roles and responsibilities within criminal justice.

Aid the student in procuring professional recommendations and future employment.

The internship comprises of 12 semester credit hours for a total of 480 hours. The field experience is an elective and comprises of three semester hours for a total of 120 hours. Complete information on this internship can be found in the Internship and Field Experience Packet (PDF).

Law Enforcement Students

The law enforcement track internship (SOC 462) provides the student with student with practical experience and an opportunity to integrate classroom skills, knowledge and professional values. As a general rule, law enforcement students will complete their internship prior to taking the law enforcement track classes.

Corrections Students

The corrections track internship (SOC 461) is an intensive, professionally supervised placement designed to provide the student with practical experience and an opportunity to integrate classroom skills, knowledge and professional values. Corrections track students may not begin their internship until they have completed the prerequisites: SOC 355, SOC 406 and SOC 407.

Field Experience

The field experience is generally an introductory background designed to familiarize students with law enforcement or corrections practices. The field experience is not a requirement for graduation. It may be utilized as an elective within the major or as a general elective credit toward graduation. Compared to the internship, field experience has less involvement and responsibility within a law enforcement or correctional agency. Field experience is an excellent means of exploring various roles and responsibilities within the criminal justice field. The field experience is offered from 1-6 semester credits.